T86 Assault Rifle - Taiwan

The T86 assault rifle is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled assault rifle. It is the second original rifle design conducted by the 205th Armory of Combined Service Forces, Republic of China (Taiwan). Though it saw limited production and service after a protracted development process, it became the basis of the T91 Combat Rifle currently in volume production for the ROC armed forces.

The finalized T86 design is an evolution of the T65 series. It inherits the short-stroke gas piston operated system from the T65 as well as the rotating bolt design. Upper and lower receiver are made with aircraft-grade aluminum. The side-folding metal stock on the prototype was replaced with an M4 carbine style polymer telescopic stock and buffer mechanism. The polymer handguard from the prototype was retained.

The controls of the T86 are similar to the T65 and M16. The T86 has a 4-position selector with safe, semiautomatic, three-round burst, and automatic settings. Like the T65K2, T86 utilizes an M16A2-style front post/rear peephole sight. The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. One notable difference is that the T86 does not have a forward assist, and the brass deflector is shaped differently.

The T86 has a 375 mm (14.8 in) barrel with flash suppressor. The rate of rifling twist is one twist in 178 mm (7.0 in). The bore is chrome-lined and the T86 can fire all 5.56x45mm NATO standard ammunition. Magazines used by the ROC military feature two protrusions on each side to avoid over-insertion, but standard STANAG magazines are compatible.

The T86 is modular and can be field-stripped without using special tools. The gas piston system and the trigger assembly can be removed as complete assemblies for maintenance, reducing the risk of losing small parts.

5.56 mm T86 assault rifle
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Republic of China
Service history
In service	2000 - Present
Used by	Taiwan, Jordan
Production history
Designed	1992-1998
Manufacturer	205th Armory
Produced	2000-2002
Number built	4,800+
Specifications
Weight	3.17 kg (7 lb)
Length	880 mm (34.6 in) (stock extended) 800 mm (31.5 in) (stock retracted)
Barrel length	375 mm (14.8 in)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO
Action	gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	700-800 RPM
Muzzle velocity	840 m/s (2,756 ft/s)
Effective range	over 300 m
Feed system	Various STANAG Magazines.
Sights	M16A2-style sights with windage and elevation adjustments